Eating healthy costs more than eating badly.

I have found going to the market is costing me more. It is costing me more to eat right and healthy. Have you found this to be true. Is there any markets or places I can go that will have me more money.

14 replies

I just reply to one of these and have put this up for discussion before so I wanted to tell you what I have been through and still going through. My income is 674.00 SSI pluss 25.00 SSi than I get 40.00 in FS. my bills are 644.00 this dose not include co pay for dr or med's. Gas, or any other exp, So I have 40.00 FS and some times can come up with up to 40.00 dollars to use on food. I use the food banks. This is what I have per month and allot of the time I don't have the extra 40. I posted on here so much about not being able to make it. But here is what I do now. I use veg from food bank when I can get them. Meat when I can get it on sale or from FB. I make soup enough for days with or w/o meat. I try and find w-grain bread at FBs. If not I buy at bread store. With FS I buy silk for oats or what have you. We get some fresh eggs from friend and FB. and p-butter good pro, I than if I have money enough buy nuts almonds are good moofu fat for it fights the belly fat. also olives and other's that fight belly fat as that is what is so bad for us. I look for sales that are very good and plan on using on line coupons when I get hooked up to my printer. But at first I just did not know what to do. I think when one is low income that the gov. should allow for that and give more FS and food banks should help more than 4 times a year with food boxes in witch they put the can veg's,. But I will tell you this I do not like how I have to eat so much soup though I like soup. But I just had my A1c done yesterday and my Doc's PA called me just awhile ago to tell me how proud they are of me knowing all above and food problems ect. My A1c. is my lowest in history a wamping 5.6 So though it is hard and I am hungry allot of the time it has all been worth it. Now I have to work on my weight and I will be good. Med's are causing Wt gain so I have to work harder at that. But I know I can do it for one I have so much support on here and other connect sites. You can do it I know you can it is no fun but to start getting healthy again is worth all the tea in China. Good luck and blessings to you and yours.

naturally eating healthy would cost more… not to mention the cost of medication… this disease is high maintenance…believe it or not. i spent a fortune on my medication yesterday and am wondering how others manage.. they need to do something about this!

Yes, i have noticed this also! All the talk the First Lady is saying about being fit, well eating correctly is part of that, you think they could do something about this. Like someone else said, if i stay out of those middle aisles as much as possible i do alot better. If i do have to go down one of those aisles i keep focused and don't "eyeball" all the stuff on the shelves! It helps. Good luck. Be Blessed

I find that going to local farms and tagging along with a group who goes to Sam's or Costco really helps ( sometimes we pool our money and coupons and buy things and divide things evenly. I do not buy much bread so I am left with more pennies for veggies. No soda pop or juices so I can buy more fruit and sweet potatoes. And you can't beat growing things yourself. Tomatoes and beans and black eye peas grow easy. Eating healthy just requires some "creative" thinking when money is involved.

The flea markets here in Florida offer fruits and veggies at about 1/2 the cost you pay in the supermarkets. That and local farmer's markets support your local economy and cost you less. Unfortunately, we're all paying higher costs for most foods now because of the increased shipping/gas prices.

Of all the cookbooks out there, few focus on costs and health. You would think that people on fixed incomes would demand such a publication. There are money-saving recipes and there are healthy recipes but few focus on both. Even when I search the web for healthier recipes, I am amazed at how liberal they are in regards to daily allowances of carbs, for example; and how stingy they are in serving sizes. I'd love to see a cookbook that focuses on both. I would also love to know how those organizations can feed children on only pennies a day. Now, THEY should publish a cookbook instead of begging for money and paying for TV commercial space.

There should be some farmer markets around your area for lower priced and organic options. Some of them even offer meats, cheeses, breads, etc. Check out www.localharvest.org.

Keep in mind stores like Aldis, Walmart, Save A Lot, KMart Super Stores, etc. Some may be regional and you may have your own where you live. Coupons are great for reducing costs but only for products you do use. Do not shy away from store brands. Do not shop hungry. Do not shop with whiny children or spouses. Take your time shopping. Shop with a list … and stick to it. Pay attention to sale ads. Consider the cost per pound on certain things. Did you know that potato chips per pound, even on sale, cost more than a grilled steak would cost? It's wise to read food labels but start to list those favorite products and get a journal going on the pricing so you can spot true sales and stock up. Remember that making your own items from scratch usually cost less than buying pre-made products. Stick to serving sizes for a better understanding of carbs and calories and such. If you have two servings, write it down!

Sure, the McValue costs look appealing with 99 cent items but, seriously, the fat and carbs and calories will have you paying one way or another with your health. There are some things you are better off paying more to get more from. Now going out to eat should not be a "never" thing but keep your eyes on what you're getting.

I agree with shopping the outer edges of a store as Beata2 suggests below. It's the center aisles that have the more expensive convenience foods and mixes. Steer clear!!! It is more important to eat to live rather than living to eat.

Oh, and three other tips to reduce the food budget: learn about canning and freezing when you find ingredients on sale or when making too much of something rather than eating the same things day after day; Find others who can cook for you in exchange of you cooking for them; and finally, look for recipes that require fewer ingredients. The more ingredients in a recipe, the more the overall cost.

My diet is very basic. Protein, Vegies, and a little fruit. I think that I save money by not going up and down all those center isles. Takes longer to cook but less fat, sodium, and carbs then processed food.

That's a good idea, it takes me longer to shop too because I have to read more labels. I do try to eat protein, veggies and fruit. I also try to stay away from Carbs. I have to really figure out what to eat. I use to eat badly because it was just easier cook up some hamburger helper but everything about that is bad. So I have to work at it now. Thanks Beata2.